Hamlin Public Library awarded book grant

The Hamlin Public Library was one of 2,000 libraries awarded a We the People Bookshelf Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The grant awards hardcover books and promotional materials to libraries in an effort to encourage young people to read and understand great literature while exploring themes in American history. This year's theme is "The Pursuit of Happiness." Titles include Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and 13 other classic works of literature in English. The grant also includes four books in Spanish translation, as well as a CD with traditional music featured in the Little House series of Laura Ingalls Wilder entitled, "Happy Land."

Activities are planned to incorporate the books and explore the theme of happiness. The books will be displayed during the library's summer reading program from June 25-August 10. Children who read any of the titles included in the We the People Bookshelf and write a short review, will receive a small prize. In addition, the Friends of the Hamlin Library will be sponsoring an essay contest in which children will examine what happiness means to them. The Friends will judge the essays, and winning entries will be published in the fall newsletter.

For information about the activities and a complete list of the books from the grant, visit the library or call 964-2320.

June 10, 2007